A new geometric model for clustering high-resolution satellite images

Abstract

Image segmentation is a central process in image processing. There are many segmentation methods such as region growing, edge detection, split and merge and artificial neural networks (ANNs). However, the most important and popular are clustering methods. Normally, clustering methods select cluster centres randomly to segment an image into disjoint and homogeneous regions. The use of random cluster centres without a priori knowledge leads to degradation in the accuracy of the obtained results. However, combined with edge detection, shape representation can help in improving the clustering methods. The improvement is obtained by knowing the optimal location of the cluster centres at the beginning of the image segmentation process. In this article, a new geometric model for high-resolution satellite image segmentation is implemented that can overcome the problem encountered in random clustering processes. The proposed model uses Canny–Deriche edge detection and the modified non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) methods to generate the control points of the edges. These points are used to identify cluster centres that are necessary to create the population of the hybrid dynamic genetic algorithm (HDGA). The new geometric model is compared with the self-organizing maps (SOMs) method, which is an efficient unsupervised ANN method. Two experiments are conducted using high-resolution satellite images, and the results prove the high accuracy and reliability of the new evolutionary geometric model.